5 Rookies to Watch at the 2018 Canada Cup

06.13.18

This year’s Canada Cup features a number of new faces eager to make their mark on the prestigious tournament. Here are 5 to look out for ahead of the action in Richmond.

Jake Daily 2.5 USA
Jake Daily makes his Canada Cup debut after a solid 2017 season that saw the young 2.5 contribute to gold-medal winning teams at the 2017 IWRF Americas Championship and 2018 King Power Wheelchair Rugby Quad Nations. He continues the Americans’ history of producing midpoint players that combine size and speed.

Jake Howe 1.0 AUS
#4 Jake Howe burst onto the Australian National side as a part of the resounding win over New Zealand in the 2017 Ken Sowden Cup. The 26 year old, low point player is one of a couple of Canada Cup rookies in the powerhouse team learning their trade from the vastly experienced Aussie squad. Look for #4 to bring plenty of energy and help push the tempo whenever he’s on court.

Sofie Skoubo 0.5 DNK
Sofie Skoubo was the first female to debut for the Danes. She received a call up to the national side after a strong two and a half years playing with European club, Aarhus Burnouts. In 2017, Skoubo saw increased minutes on the court for the Danish side due to her strong grasp of the tactical element of the game and helped the team win the 2017 Metro Cup. Look for her to lay the groundwork for some big Danish plays in Richmond.

Shayne Smith 2.5 CAN
Smith is no stranger to the international scene having represented Canada at two u23 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships prior to converting to wheelchair rugby. The 29 year-old brings high energy and excellent chair skills to a Canadian side that includes four other players making their Canada Cup debut.

Conrad Hildebrand 1.0 SWE
The 23-year old Swedish low-pointer played a significant role in Sweden’s silver medal winning campaign at the 2017 European Championships in his first season with the national team. Look for him to handle much of the inbounding and picking duties in Sweden’s line-ups and make a strong Canada Cup debut.